To Kill a Mockingbird is a much-loved story about two young children coming of age in the American South, a region wracked by racial conflict and injustice during much of the 20th century. Fans were thrilled when a follow-up novel by author Harper Lee was released. But in Go Set a Watchman, readers were dismayed to find that a beloved and honorable character in the first book had transformed into an unapologetic racist in his later years. This twist forces the reader to confront the character’s evolving beliefs, as well as their own.
In Acts 10, as the apostle Peter interacted with a Roman, he realized that God’s kingdom isn’t limited to Jews, but to all people who believe in Jesus. He even championed the cause of Gentile believers at several points throughout the book of Acts. But in Galatians 2, Peter had returned to his previous attitude and eventually no longer ate with Gentiles (Galatians 2:12). Paul was forced to oppose and rebuke Peter for his attitude, telling him “what he did was very wrong” (Galatians 2:11). The cause of Peter’s backsliding? He came under the influence of a group of Jewish believers known as the Judaizers—those who believed that Gentile Christians were required to follow all of the Old Testament law.
Peter was a mature and experienced disciple, yet he struggled with a fear of criticism and the influence of others. How much more careful should we be about the company we keep? It’s vital that those we draw closest to are people who will help us stay in step with the work of the Holy Spirit, and not in opposition to Him. May we praise God for friends like Paul who have the courage and wisdom to stand up to us when we’re straying from His wisdom and ways. That’s good company!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 22:1-13
More:
Read 2 Samuel 12 to see the rebuke David received from a friend.
Next:
Have you ever had an experience similar to Peter, where those around you led you farther astray from the will of God for your life? How do you choose the company that you keep?
Gary Shultz on September 11, 2016 at 6:23 am
Hi Peter, as you stated, Peter was a mature and experienced disciple and he wavered in thought and deed. It’s funny how a lot of the things that were tempting as younger people don’t have a lot of call any more; however, we still must keep our guard up. Worries, doubt, and fear will come to call if we are not staying close to God. The good lesson you teach is we still need to be accountable no matter what our age. That’s why we need to be and stay in touch and fellowship with other believers. A lot of people my age and older just want to be cozy, today’s world is pressing in on that, and people get adrift. We still have the same God and He is almighty. At any life stage the press will come, we need to be focused and be around those who will keep us there and remind ourselves God has considered our ways and calls us to trust Him. Thanks Peter.
hsnpoor on September 12, 2016 at 11:07 am
You know, Gary, it’s occurred to me that the reason some of the sin that tempted me when I was younger lost its’ grip as I got older, is not so much because I’ve gotten better at resisting, as it is that I don’t have the energy to engage anymore and I consider that a direct gift from God. There are some things in our lives that we really have to work with The Lord to contend against and root them out of our lives. And, then there are other things that the Lord, in His grace and mercy, will simply deliver us out from under and maybe no one else knows which is which, but you sure do when it has happened. There is a Proverb that says something to the effect that “the wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful”. So very, very true and instructive in helping us determine the company we keep, as well as how to be a good a friend and not just a fair weather one. Blessings, BWO!
gagirllive on September 11, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Peter, this is a perfect example in scripture where wrong attitudes and behaviors need to be called out within the Church. Since you opened up your devotional with the issue of racism, I will continue the conversation here—a conversation that should be open for sharing on this forum without judgement. I find it so disheartening to see that racism is still alive within the body of Christ. From my experience, very few Christians are willing to honestly identify it in their own lives, much less address it in their churches. What do we do when jokes, stereotypes, and generalizations are made regarding people of other ethnicities in our presence? Do we laugh, remain silent, or rebuke it? Or what do we make of the more subtle, and perhaps unseen, biases we hold in our hearts or hear from our mouths as well as from those around us? I wonder what would happen in regard to this issue if followers of Christ actually began to live like we are? May God give us a heart like His so the world will know us by our love! Thank you for this truth today, Peter.
hsnpoor on September 12, 2016 at 11:21 am
GG, you know I had to weigh in on this one. You know, I’m actually surprised when racism raises it’s ugly head in my church environment. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m oblivious or if it really is that rare, and I suspect the latter, but don’t discount the former. I’m just very glad that the Lord has worked in my heart and gave me parents who made sure I understood that the ignorance of others does not define who I am but definitely hurts and limits the person who refuses to see, acknowledge and do something about curing their ignorance. I also recognize that just because I’ve been on the receiving end of such behavior, I am not immune from making the same mistake with others. One thing I have learned, by experience, is that whenever I have a negative opinion of a person, place or thing, it is almost always a result of my OWN ignorance. If I take the time to learn more about that person, place or thing, that negative opinion will usually become positive; or, at the very least neutral. Very rarely, will that opinion remain negative and when it does, it’s time for warrior prayer.
gagirllive on September 12, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for weighing in, Kim. Even though this is yesterday’s bread, I’ll still take a bite. 🙂 Thankfully, I have not seen racism overtly expressed in my church environment either, but I do have friends who have stated that there are subtle attitudes there, revealing themselves in some way. It’s not always the blatant stuff. In regard to recent events in our nation, however, I am hearing some attitudes expressed in my Christian circles that disturb me though. And you’re right—we ALL have prejudices that we have to be on guard about and exorcise them from our hearts. Most of my work experience has been in a Christian environment, and sadly, that’s where I have seen it rear it’s ugly head— through the subtlety of jokes, comments, and biased decisions that have been made. My disappointment was fueled by the fact that whenever they were called out for these types of things it was not supported by those in upper management. Because of their failure to address it and convey a zero tolerance for that at our Christian workplace, I can’t say that I was in “good company”. Very disheartening.
hsnpoor on September 14, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Understood…. Time for warrior prayer and then leave it at the foot of the cross. We know in due time, God will make ALL things right.